As with TG20:13, development has been carried out in conjunction with CADS (Computer and Design  Services Limited), an international specialist in structural engineering design and technical authors of  the TG20 eGuide software.

By using the TG20:21 eGuide, users can produce a wide range of standard scaffolding structures, without the need for bespoke design.

The latest version builds upon TG20:13, retaining its user-friendly look and feel, but includes a  number of revisions to make the process of producing compliant scaffolding – in accordance with the  European standard BS EN 12811 – even simpler, and incorporates a wider range of scaffolding types.

Additions include exterior birdcages, tube and fitting mobile towers, tube and fitting loading bays  without beams, and tied independent scaffolds with three inside boards.

TG20 compliance sheets are now double-sided, with an illustration and principal compliance criteria  on the front, and detailed compliance criteria listed on the reverse.

Users can access TG20:21 – including the associated and updated Operational and Design Guides – via the NASC ePortal here.

The updated User Guide booklet will be  published in May, and printed versions of the Operational and Design guides will follow.

TG20:21 is available on an annual subscription basis, costing £300 + VAT per login per year, which is  discounted to £75 for NASC full members. To ensure the transition from TG20:13 to TG20:21 is as  fair as possible, there is a period of free use of the new software for existing users, which can be  accessed using the TG20:13 serial number.

NASC President Lynn Way said: “We’re delighted to launch TG20:21. We’ve been working on this  update for 18 months, and I’d like to thank every single person that has played a part in its  development.

“We’re confident that users of TG20:21 will recognise how we’ve taken the best parts of TG20:13,  made it better and easier to use, but also kept the original mission statement in the front of our minds – creating a tool that scaffolding contractors can use to produce compliant structures for day to-day scaffolding, and ensure that their scaffolding projects are safe and conform to legal  requirements.”

Dennis Braithwaite, NASC Technical Advisor, added: “With the introduction of TG20:21, we are entering a ‘transition period’ to give the industry  adequate time to adjust to the new requirements, in a planned and controlled way.

“Existing scaffolds  constructed in compliance with TG20:13 and associated compliance sheets remain acceptable and  do not require modification. TG20:13 compliance sheets are still valid and may continue to be used  for the next few months. It is anticipated that TG20:13 will be formally withdrawn, in favour of fully  adopting TG20:21 in the Autumn.”

TG20:21 will be supported by a comprehensive maintenance and development agreement, ensuring  that updates and improvements are made on a regular basis.